Olympic Rings Appetizer Platter

I'll never forget the moment I decided to create this platter for my friend's Olympic viewing party. We were all gathered around the television, flags draped over furniture, and I wanted to bring something that captured that spirit of global unity and celebration. I spent the afternoon arranging colorful ingredients into interlocking circles, and when I unveiled it, the whole room went quiet for a moment before erupting in cheers. It wasn't just food anymore—it was a conversation starter, a work of art that tasted as good as it looked.

The best part happened when my nephew, who's usually picky about vegetables, started sneaking grapes from the green ring while telling everyone about the Olympic games. His sister grabbed strawberries from the red. Suddenly the whole group was reaching in, and it became this beautiful, chaotic celebration where people weren't even thinking about eating healthily—they were just enjoying each other. That's when I knew this platter had become something special.

Ingredients

• Blueberries: These are your anchor for the blue ring, and their natural sweetness plays beautifully against the salty blue cheese. Fresh ones stay firmer and look more jewel-like on the platter.
• Blue corn tortilla chips: They add that satisfying crunch that makes people keep coming back. Break them into pieces smaller than you think—they'll still feel substantial on the platter.
• Blue cheese, crumbled: Use a good quality block and crumble it yourself rather than pre-crumbled; it tastes fresher and looks less dusty on the platter.
• Toasted walnuts: The toasting is non-negotiable here. It brings out their natural oils and deepens their flavor in ways raw walnuts simply can't match.
• Yellow cherry tomatoes, halved: Always taste these before committing to them for the platter. The sweetness varies by season, and you want ones that make you smile when you bite in.
• Yellow bell pepper, diced: This adds brightness and a fresh crunch that contrasts with the soft fruits around it.
• Pineapple chunks: Fresh pineapple is worth the extra effort. It brings a tropical sweetness that feels celebratory.
• Toasted cashews: Their buttery richness balances the tartness of the other yellow elements perfectly.
• Black olives, sliced: The salty, briny element that keeps people's palates interested. Kalamata olives add a bit more sophistication if you can find them.
• Black grapes, halved: Halving them makes them easier to grab and keeps the visual consistency across all your rings.
• Black bean hummus: This is your protein moment and adds creaminess. Spread it gently across the ring so it doesn't overwhelm the other delicate flavors.
• Pumpernickel bread rounds: Toast them lightly before plating so they have a slight crunch and won't get soggy from the moisture of the other ingredients.
• Cucumber slices: Slice these just before assembling to keep them crisp and fresh-looking. Pat them dry with a paper towel so they don't make the platter wet.
• Green grapes, halved: They should still have a slight firmness when you buy them so they stay perky on the platter.
• Edamame, shelled and steamed: The nutty flavor and protein-packed bite make this ring feel substantial. Cool them completely before adding.
• Fresh basil leaves: These are your aromatic moment. Tear them gently by hand rather than cutting to keep their essential oils from being compromised.
• Cherry tomatoes, halved: The classic red, and their natural sweetness is the backbone of the red ring.
• Red bell pepper, diced: Adds crunch and a slightly different flavor note than the tomatoes.
• Strawberries, halved: These bring unexpected sweetness that surprises people in the best way when they're reaching for what they think is a savory ring.
• Roasted red pepper hummus: Slightly sweeter than black bean, this one brings a gentle smokiness that complements the strawberries.

Instructions

Start with your canvas:

Clear off a large serving platter and give it a gentle wipe with a damp cloth. This is going to be your stage, so let it be clean and ready. If you're nervous about arranging freehand, that's totally okay—lightly sketch five interlocking circles on a piece of parchment paper underneath or beside your platter. Think of them like a gentle Venn diagram, overlapping in that iconic Olympic way.

Prepare your ingredients with intention:

Before you start arranging, have all your components prepped and ready to go. Chop, slice, halve, and toast everything. This is the moment where you're not rushing—you're being thoughtful about how each element will look next to the others. Pat dry any ingredients that might be wet, especially the cucumbers and tomatoes. Moisture is the enemy of a platter that stays beautiful.

Build the blue ring first:

Start on the left side of your platter, just like the Olympic rings. Arrange the blueberries in a loose circle, leaving strategic gaps. Fill those gaps with blue cheese crumbles, corn chip pieces, and toasted walnuts. The key is alternating textures and letting a bit of the platter show through—this isn't about cramming ingredients together. Let each element have its own moment.

Layer in the yellow ring:

This one should slightly overlap the blue ring on the right side, creating that interlocking magic. Mix the yellow cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, pineapple, and cashews in a way that feels natural and varied. Don't put all the pineapple together or all the pepper together. Scatter them so someone looking at the platter sees diversity.

Add the bold black ring:

This goes in the top center, overlapping both blue and yellow slightly. The black olives, black grapes, pumpernickel rounds, and black bean hummus create a sophisticated anchor. The hummus might need spreading as a base, and that's fine—use the back of a spoon to create gentle swoops rather than a perfectly smooth layer. Imperfection is beautiful.

Introduce the green ring:

Below and to the left, this ring is your fresh, bright moment. Scatter the cucumber slices, green grapes, edamame, and basil leaves. The basil is delicate, so add it last and tuck the leaves in gently so they stand up a bit, catching the light.

Complete with the red ring:

The final ring overlaps black and green, completing your Olympic symbol. Arrange the red cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, strawberries, and roasted red pepper hummus. This is your sweetest ring, and that strawberry surprise is what makes people smile.

Step back and breathe:

Once all five rings are arranged, step back and look at your creation. Are there any gaps that feel too empty? Any ingredient that's gotten lost? You can make small adjustments now. If serving immediately, do it now. If you're making this ahead, cover it loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to two hours. The cold actually helps everything stay fresher and firmer.

Save

I watched my mother taste the roasted red pepper hummus from the red ring, then reach for the strawberries, then close her eyes for a second like she was remembering something good. Later she told me it reminded her of a trip to Spain she took in her twenties, and the combination of sweet and smoky had transported her back. That's when I really understood that these platters aren't just about feeding people—they're about giving them a moment to feel something.

Choosing Your Ingredients Wisely

The secret to a stunning Olympic rings platter is choosing ingredients that are actually in season and at their peak. When you shop, taste as you go. Ask the produce person which berries came in today. Check the firmness of the tomatoes. A strawberry that's genuinely ripe tastes completely different from one that's been sitting in a cooler for a week. The same goes for every single ingredient. This platter shines brightest when its components are actually delicious, not just colorful. That's the difference between a plate that looks good and one that makes people genuinely excited to eat.

Making It Your Own

Here's what's beautiful about this platter format—it's endlessly customizable. If someone in your crowd doesn't eat dairy, that blue cheese becomes optional. If there are nut allergies, swap the walnuts and cashews for seeds—sunflower for blue, pumpkin for yellow, you get the idea. If you're vegan, use plant-based cheese and dairy-free hummus and nobody will miss a thing. The structure of the rings stays strong no matter what you put in them. I've made versions with roasted vegetables instead of fresh, added fresh herbs to every ring, even created an entirely different version once using dried fruits and nuts for a winter holiday party. The Olympic rings are just your template—what you fill them with is entirely up to you and who you're cooking for.

Creating the Perfect Serving Experience

This platter is designed to be grazed, not plated, which means the experience of it evolves as people eat. The first person to reach in gets the full visual impact. The last person gets to enjoy the harmony of what's left. Some people will go for the blue ring first, drawn to the blueberries. Others will circle around to red, drawn to strawberries. That's the joy of this format—everyone's path through the platter is different, and that's absolutely the point. If you're serving wine, Sauvignon Blanc really does pair beautifully with all five rings. If you're serving sparkling water or something non-alcoholic, that's perfect too. What matters is that people feel celebrated when they approach the table.

• Place the platter at eye level if you can—on a tall table or elevated surface—so it catches the light and looks even more impressive.
• If you're worried about it drying out during a long party, assign a friend to give it a gentle touch-up halfway through, replacing any vegetables that have started to wilt.
• Small cocktail napkins beside the platter make it easy for people to help themselves without getting their hands messy.

Save

Every time I make this platter, I'm reminded that the most meaningful meals are the ones we share. This one just happens to be beautiful too.

Cooking Questions

→ How do I assemble the interlocking rings accurately?

Use a large platter and lightly sketch five overlapping circles with a pencil and parchment paper as a guide. Arrange ingredients within each circle, overlapping slightly to mimic the Olympic rings layout.

→ Can the platter be prepared ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the platter and refrigerate it covered for up to 2 hours before serving to maintain freshness.

→ What are good substitutions for nuts in this platter?

Seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds work well as nut-free alternatives without compromising texture and flavor.

→ How can I make this platter suitable for vegan diets?

Replace blue cheese with plant-based cheese and choose vegan hummus to keep the platter fully plant-based.

→ Which flavors pair well with the different colored rings?

Blueberries and walnuts add earthiness to blue; yellow features bright pineapples and cashews; black offers savory olives and hummus; green highlights fresh cucumber and basil; red combines sweet strawberries with roasted red pepper hummus.